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Ed Sheeran Asks Robert Kraft to Donate $2m in Aid After Macklemore Controversy
Confirmed
In Short: US stadium owner Robert Kraft has agreed to match a $2m donation by Ed Sheeran in response to Macklemore's controversial performance at Sheeran's tour, following the rapper's removal as an opening act.
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, has agreed to match a $2m donation by Ed Sheeran in response to Macklemore's controversial performance at Sheeran's tour, following the rapper's removal as an opening act.
The request came after Macklemore separately said he would donate $1m to Palestinian organizations, challenging Kraft to match the sum. Kraft did not confirm the details of the donation or where the funds will go, and Sheeran himself has not commented on any donation he is making or other philanthropic plans.
Kraft, who is Jewish, accused Macklemore of hate speech during two previous support slots, where the rapper called for 'free Palestine' on stage and made other comments and showed images of Gaza. Sheeran's other support acts dropped out in protest, sparking a backlash.
In his statement, Kraft said he has worked to bring 'young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.' The decision to drop Macklemore from the tour was made by Sheeran's promoters, not by the singer himself, who said he respects 'Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.
What's confirmed
- Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, has agreed to match a $2m donation by Ed Sheeran in response to Macklemore's controversial performance at Sheeran's tour, following the rapper's removal as an opening act.
- The request came after Macklemore separately said he would donate $1m to Palestinian organizations, challenging Kraft to match the sum. Kraft did not confirm the details of the donation or where the funds will go, and Sheeran himself has not commented on any donation he is making or other philanthropic plans.
- Kraft, who is Jewish, accused Macklemore of hate speech during two previous support slots, where the rapper called for 'free Palestine' on stage and made other comments and showed images of Gaza. Sheeran's other support acts dropped out in protest, sparking a backlash.
- In his statement, Kraft said he has worked to bring 'young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.' The decision to drop Macklemore from the tour was made by Sheeran's promoters, not by the singer himself, who said he respects 'Macklemore's strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes.
What's still developing
- In the statement, which was issued by Gillette Stadium on Kraft's behalf, he said he would like those speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that he has long "supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians".
- "I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people," Kraft said.
- Macklemore - real name Benjamin Haggerty - called for a "free Palestine" and showed images of devastation in Gaza during two Sheeran concerts in New Jersey earlier this month.
- Sheeran, who performed at Kraft's 2022 wedding, said on Tuesday he was not responsible for Macklemore being removed as an opening act from the tour.
- The artists argued that Macklemore's removal represented a chilling effect on free speech.
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- Messina Touring Group said Macklemore was dropped because some venues - such as Kraft's Gillette Stadium - would refuse to let the concerts take place if he performed, meaning the tour would have been cancelled if Macklemore remained on the bill.